Minutes Hall of Fame Committee
August 15, 2011
Our first meeting was attended by the entire HFC and lasted about 1:15 after a delayed start due to confusion about the correct participant code.
The Hall of Fame Committee (HFC) consists of the following people:
- Barbara Haupt East Representative (History sub-committee)
- Ernie Hasse Midwest Representative (History and Selection Criteria sub-committee)
- A.R. Ginn Chairman for Selection Criteria & by-laws section, South Representative
- Hob Brown West Representative (Selection Criteria & by-laws sub-committee)
- Sue Rose Chairperson for the History section, ECSCA Member at Large
- Dave Williams Chairman for space design section, FTC Member at Large
- Dennis Joannides Chairman for the HFC, FTC Member at Large
Dennis provided an update on the status of the English Cocker Hall of Fame (HOF) and our space at the Bird Dog Museum :
Status of our Hall of Fame
a. ECSCA approved the formation of the ECSHOF
b. ECSCA approved obtaining space at the Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, TN
c. FTC selected the initial HFC members
d. ECSCA secured approximately 57.6 linear feet of wall space in new Continental Wing of the BDM (7.3% total) for display of our field trial history, recognition of dogs and individuals to be elected to the HOF.
e. $41,500 was raised from contributions by Founders including the ECSCA
f. $29,000 was used to purchase space at the BDM, $12,200 was applied toward a grant at the Bird Dog Foundation (BDF) that will be used for perpetual maintenance and repairs of our allocated space. $300 was allocated to expenses.
g. We are still $24,500 short of our original goal of $65,000
The entire HFC felt it was important for us to let everyone know about the HOF and how they can contribute. The HFC collectively agreed to spread the word as they participated in Hunt Tests and Field trials this fall. Dennis was preparing a solicitation form for donations. (See attached). We want to encourage supporters, those who can contribute $25 or more but not necessarily the $500 minimum to become a Founder. Supporters donations should be sent to the ECSCA c/o Karen Spurlin, Treasurer PO Box 760, Tracyton, WA 98393 and indicate it is for the hall of fame. Karen will track these donations separately. It was also suggested that a special post be placed on the Field Cocker’s site as well as some type of exhibit at this year’s NCC.
Dennis extended his thanks to all of the Founder’s present at the meeting and indicated that each Founder received a personal thank you letter from the BDF. Here are our current Founders and their level of support.
i. Diamond–$10,000 or more
1. ECSCA–$15,000
ii. Platinum–$5,000
1A.R and Ollie Ginn
2Hob & Lisa Brown
3Vicky Thomas
iii. Gold–$2,500
1Kim & Bethann Wiley
2Sue & Robert Rose
3Donna & Dennis Joannides
4Memory of William Drake
iv. Silver–$1,000
一Harold Bixby
一Hudson & Mary Nichols
一v. Bronze–$500
1. Buzz & Susan Benson
Each of the committee members were asked to share his/her vision for the HOF and our space at the BDM:
1. The HFC was unanimous in their feeling that we were not in a rush to induct any dogs or individuals into the HOF at the February 2012, annual induction by the National Bird Dog Hall of Fame (NBHOF). Further there was no feeling that any minimum number of dogs needed to elected on an annual basis.
2. Everyone felt the number one priority was to develop written criteria for the selection of both dogs and people into the HOF
3. Sue Rose indicated that she had visited the BDM and was surprised not to see any of the memorabilia, previously sent by the ECSCA, on display. Barbara Haupt indicated she had sent a framed portrait of the first NCC poster and Ernie indicated he had sent a portrait of Rocky. The group felt we needed an inventory of everything held at the BDM. In addition, Kate Romanski, who has retired as secretary of the ECSCA, has retained the archives of past field trial memorabilia. Both Sue and Barbara intended to visit the BDM this fall and will investigate the whereabouts of our stuff. They both will work on getting together an inventory of all memorabilia and its location.
4. Dave Williams expressed the fact that our initial focus for the exhibit at the BDM should be on presenting the English Cocker as a field dog so that the general public who visit the museum can learn more about the versatility and skills of our little friends. He suggested we might want to consider a slide show, video, or scrap book offering a pictorial view of the history of Cockers in the Field. We discussed that the cost might very well exceed the original $7,000 we budgeted for displays and that we may want to look for corporate donors and other sources of revenue. There was tremendous enthusiasm for Dave’s suggestion and the group felt it was not too ambitious and we should give it a go.
5. A.R. Ginn as chair for the Selection Criteria subcommittee indicated he was having difficulty locating the full version of the by-laws and selection criteria used by the Springer group. He said he was in possession of information as to how other breeds approach selection. He questioned whether the HFC is a committee of the BDF or the ECSCA. Dennis indicated it was his understanding the HFC is a standing committee of the ECSCA and that once our by-laws are approved by the BDF we will become a standing committee of the BDF. The BDF will then accept our nominations for HOF candidates and they will be inducted at the annual HOF ceremony in, Grand Junction, TN, held each February.
6. There was considerable discussion about the criteria for selection of dogs and people to the HOF.
a. A.R. discussed some of the findings from the survey distributed to the HFC. A question about the necessity of an inductee, individual nominating a dog, owner of a dog, or the person nominated for the HOF having to be a member of ECSCA. Sue offered that there should not be any requirement of ECSCA membership and the group concurred.
b. Ernie & Hob felt we needed a letter informing everyone how a dog or individual became eligible for the HOF and that this would further stimulate interest for HOF. They also felt that there should not be a single criteria for automatic selection and that we should look at the biographies of others who have been inducted to the NBDHOF for guidance in determining our criteria. Ernie and Hob will review some of those biographies and give input to the Selection Criteria sub-committee.
c. Sue felt that there should not be a single criteria for automatic selection but rather that we should look at both the dog and individual’s lifetime achievement on the following basis: What has the dog or person done for the betterment of the breed; How has it presented the breed in our country; and how has the dog or the person showcased it’s talent. While there was some agreement with Sue on these points others raised the point that we needed to have some minimum, objective criteria about the dog’s success in the field, be it an NCC title, FC title, High Point Dog, winner in different geographic locations, winning with multiple handlers, producer of exceptional offspring. Everyone agreed there should not be any single automatic criteria, ( ie: NCC) that caused a dog to be inducted to the HOF. It was decided to table this discussion for our next meeting.
Barbara asked A.R. if his sub-committee could come up with an outline of the criteria for our next meeting.
1We discussed the need to promote the HOF. One method might be through the distribution of a survey to the field, a flyer on field cockers, promotion at hunt tests and other field events. Barbara indicated she would promote it in the east. Hob will promote it at the ND hunt test and field trial, Dennis and A.R. will promote it at Washington field trial. A.R. felt that a copy of our minutes should be distributed by the FTC with a copy of its minutes.
2The meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2011, at 9PM eastern. Everyone can make that meeting except Sue Rose who will be out of the country until late October. We also agreed to meet at this year’s NCC. Ernie indicated he might be a little busy and Barbara said she needs to convince Cary to drive that far.